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cnbc.com
Australia reports lower-than-expected first-quarter inflation — but price rise highest in 2 years
The first-quarter inflation figure was lower than the 4.2% expected by economists polled by Reuters.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Oil takes another hit, but chips steal the spotlight
Just as oil prices are looking stable (albeit higher) due to a ceasefire, the market took another blow as the United Arab Emirates exited the OPEC.
cnbc.com
Asia-Pacific markets open mixed after OPEC shock, tech jitters drag Wall Street lower
Optimism around tech stocks took hit as the Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI's revenue and new users growth was below its own targets.
bbc.com
A fresh financial crisis may be coming - it won't play out like the last one
Several warning lights are flashing that have some wondering whether we are in the foothills of another financial crisis.
cnbc.com
Can AI outperform doctors? Experts weigh the pros and cons
One CEO said people should be using AI to understand their health much more than they already do.
bbc.com
Face serum advert banned over 'five years younger' claim
Eucerin asked 160 people to use the serum for four weeks then say how much younger they thought they looked.
theguardian.com
UK faces £35bn hit and risk of recession this year over impact of Iran war, thinktank warns
Niesr says even under best-case scenario, economy would grow at slower pace in 2026 and 2027 because of conflictBritain is facing a £35bn economic hit and the risk of a recession this year as the fallout from the Iran war adds to the pressure on Keir Starmer’s government, a leading thinktank has warned.The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (Niesr) said that even under a best-case scenario the UK economy would grow at a much slower pace this year and next because of the Middle East conflict. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Flying cars and 5-minute charges: China's EV industry sees opportunity in Iran crisis
As the US-Iran has sent the world scrambling for fuel, China is positioned to benefit from its rapid shift into electric vehicles.
theguardian.com
‘Stole a charity’: Elon Musk accuses Sam Altman of betrayal in courtroom showdown
Trial is culmination of a years-long feud between Musk and Altman that has become increasingly viciousThe trial pitting Elon Musk against Sam Altman and OpenAI began in dramatic fashion on Tuesday with opening arguments and the richest man in the world taking the stand to testify. Attorneys for the two tech moguls presented a California jury with two wildly different versions of the AI company’s history, while Musk accused his billionaire rival of endangering humanity through corporate deception.Musk’s suit argues that Altman, OpenAI and its president, Greg Brockman, broke a foundational agreement to better humanity when the non-profit pivoted towards a for-profit structure. In his opening statement, Musk’s attorney said Altman and Brockman “stole a charity”. Musk, who left OpenAI in 2018 after co-founding it with Altman and Brockman three years earlier, also alleges that his co-founders unjustly enriched themselves as the company raised billions of dollars and grew into the AI behemoth it is today. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Pentagon AI chief confirms DOD's expanded use of Google, says reliance on one model 'never a good thing'
The Pentagon's AI chief discussed the DOD's expanded use of Google Gemini after the blacklisting of Anthropic.
cnbc.com
Airbus reports falling profits as jet deliveries slow
Airbus' first-quarter adjusted operating profit declined by 52% to 300 million euros, down from 624 million euros in the same period last year.
cnbc.com
OpenAI reportedly missed revenue targets. Shares of Oracle and these chip stocks are falling
OpenAI has recently missed its own projections for user growth and revenue, the WSJ reported.
cnbc.com
GM raises 2026 guidance amid $500 million tariff refund, topping Wall Street's earnings expectations
Aside from earnings and any change to GM's 2026 guidance, investors are monitoring impact from the Iran war, tariffs and EV write-downs.
cnbc.com
Treasury yields rise as U.S.-Iran peace talks hit an impasse
U.S. Treasury yields rose on Tuesday as investors awaited developments on negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, which hit an impasse over the weekend.
cnbc.com
UPS beats Wall Street estimates on top and bottom lines
Package delivery giant UPS beat Wall Street estimates for its first-quarter earnings.
bbc.com
Musk says basis of charitable giving at stake in OpenAI lawsuit
The case over OpenAI's history and public commitments could have major implications for the future of AI.
cnbc.com
UAE's shock OPEC exit: What it means for the oil cartel's future and for crude prices
The UAE wants to ramp up production without constraints from OPEC, which could prove bearish for prices at some point.
cnbc.com
U.S. oil hovers near $100 on report Trump dissatisfied with Iran's proposal to open Hormuz
Oil prices rose as investors parsed fresh signals from U.S.-Iran negotiations, with uncertainty over a potential de-escalation keeping markets on edge.
theguardian.com
How the UAE’s decision to leave Opec could recast the Middle East
Defection is damaging to Saudi Arabia’s prestige – and could strengthen the US hand in the regionThe United Arab Emirates’ decision to walk out of Opec is a political as much as business decision, and will reignite the simmering rows between the UAE and Saudi Arabia – which had been covered up by their shared anger with Iran over its attacks on the Gulf states since the start of the US-Israel war on Tehran.In the short term, leaving the oil producing cartel it joined in 1967 gives the UAE the freedom to respond quickly to a long-term prospect of constrained supplies, and to maximise profit. But it is a decision the UAE has considered before, as UAE and Saudi tensions over production quotas have been longstanding. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
No 10 dismisses Reeves’s reported plan for freeze on private rents
Downing Street says focus will remain on cutting bills, backing renters and lowering energy pricesDowning Street has dismissed the idea of a freeze on private sector rents even as Rachel Reeves left the door open to such a move, after the Guardian revealed the chancellor has been considering it as an option to cut the cost of living.A No 10 spokesperson said on Tuesday that freezing private sector rents was “not the approach we will be taking” after sources told the Guardian it was Reeves’s preferred solution for dealing with a spike in housing costs in the wake of the Iran war. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Jamie Dimon warns of 'some kind of bond crisis' ahead as global debt risks build
Dimon, who runs JPMorgan Chase, the world's largest bank by market cap, said that today's growing mix of risks could combine in unpredictable ways.
cnbc.com
OpenAI brings its models to Amazon's cloud after ending exclusivity with Microsoft
OpenAI's generative AI models are becoming available on Amazon's cloud a day after the AI company revamped its relationship with longtime partner Microsoft.
theguardian.com
Another shadow banking hit – but otherwise, Barclays looks fine
The bank should not sound the all-clear but twin embarrassments do not mean the current credit cycle will end in tearsBarclays cuts back risky lending after £228m hit from UK mortgage firm MFSThe Barclays boss CS Venkatakrishnan, having seen the bank hit in the space of six months by two high-profile blow-ups in the world of shadow banking, is pledging to take more care. “We are constraining lending to certain structured finance counterparties who operate more vulnerable business models and cannot convince us of the quality and independence of their financial controls,” he said.There’s an obvious response to that vow of greater vigilance: what were you doing previously? Wouldn’t it have been a good idea in the first place not to lend to high-risk outfits with unconvincing financial controls – for example, those with large mortgage exposures but small audit firms? There was, in other words, a sense in the chief executive’s comments of stable doors being shut rather too late. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Ben Jennings on BP’s Iran war profits – cartoon
Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Google reportedly signs classified AI deal with US Pentagon
Tech company is latest Silicon Valley firm to sign agreement with US military despite widespread employee oppositionGoogle has reportedly signed a deal with the US Pentagon to use its artificial intelligence models for classified work. The tech company joins a growing list of Silicon Valley firms inking agreements with the US military.The agreement allows the Pentagon to use Google’s AI for “any lawful government purpose”, the report from the Information added, putting it alongside OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI, which also have deals to supply AI models for classified use. Similar agreements, both at Google and other AI firms, have sparked significant disagreements with the Pentagon and major employee pushback. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Chlorinated chicken with a side of safety warnings | Letters
Erik Millstone and Tim Lang look at the evidence. Plus a letter from a woman who had campylobacter while pregnantYou were right to report (23 April) that government officials have actively considered how to respond to US pressure to accept imports of “chemical-washed chicken” and other processed products.This matters to the public, for whom chlorinated chicken has become a test case for whether UK standards are lowered for commercial and political reasons. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Address checks are lacking at the DVLA | Brief letters
Another fine mess | The rise of ‘ghost owners’ | NHS cancer screening | Full ‘wazzock’ insult | Cloning monarch butterfliesThe Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not appear to check addresses of car owners even when it has them on record (Rise of the ‘ghost owner’: 18,000 UK vehicles in use without proper records, 23 April). Where I live, two vehicles are registered that are not mine, and the ultra-low emission zone fines, parking charges and bailiffs’ letters for motoring infractions are piling up. Surely there should be checks before a V5C logbook is issued?Graeme ThornArnos Grove, London• The increase in ghost owners of vehicles will not be stemmed by controlling who sells cloned plates. For a young person, the cost of insurance could be £1,500 a year. If they get caught, the fine is £400 and points on their licence. That will be seen as a no-brainer. They might think again if the penalty was £5,000, loss of licence and the vehicle being scrapped.Simon Allen Wendover, Buckhinghamshire Continue reading...
theguardian.com
GM expecting $500m Trump tariff refund, boosting its 2026 earnings outlook
Companies are now seeking refunds on tariffs after supreme court ruled Trump’s emergency levies were illegalSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxGeneral Motors is expecting a $500m tariff refund after the US supreme court struck down some of Donald Trump’s most sweeping levies.That has boosted the Detroit automaker’s outlook for 2026. On Tuesday, GM said it was now looking to rake in $13.5bn-$15.5bn in earnings before interest and taxes this year – up from previous forecasts of $13bn-$15bn. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
U.S. is 'being humiliated by Iran,' says Germany's Merz, as Europe's patience wanes
The U.S. is being "humiliated" by the Iranian regime, Germany's chancellor has said, as European leaders grow increasingly frustrated at the war with Iran.
bbc.com
United Arab Emirates to quit oil cartel Opec
The UAE's decision, after nearly 60 years of membership, is seen as a potential death knell for the oil cartel.
cnbc.com
Op-ed: In blocking Meta-Manus deal, China sent a powerful reminder to Mark Zuckerberg and U.S. market about AI race
When Mark Zuckerberg's Meta acquired Manus, a Singapore-based AI startup with Chinese roots, many saw a routine deal. They don't know China.
theguardian.com
UAE quits Opec in win for Trump as oil cartel weakened
US president has accused organisation of ‘ripping off the rest of the world’ by inflating oil pricesThe United Arab Emirates has quit the Opec oil cartel after 60 years of membership, in a heavy blow to the group and its de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, as global energy markets contend with the biggest supply crisis in history.The shock loss of the UAE, Opec’s third-largest oil producer, is expected to weaken the group, which for decades has worked together to use its collective oil production to influence global oil market prices. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Faisal Islam: Why the UAE's exit from Opec is a big deal
It will have little effect on the current oil blockades, but it could change everything afterwards.
cnbc.com
European stocks close lower as Trump considers Iran peace proposal, UAE leaves OPEC
European shares closed lower on Tuesday as investors assessed the latest developments in the Iran war and a flurry of corporate earnings reports.
bbc.com
Why Sam Altman and his former hero Elon Musk are taking their toxic feud to court
The battle between the AI big hitters has largely played out on social media. Now it is coming to the courtroom.
cnbc.com
Ryanair’s O’Leary warns European airlines could fail if jet fuel price doesn't fall
Ryanair's boss warned that European airlines could see "real failures" if jet fuel prices remain high, having "mushroomed" since the Iran war began.
theguardian.com
Singing activists disrupt NatWest meeting over ‘climate backtracking’
AGM briefly adjourned after protesters wearing T-shirts labelled ‘No more big oil’ burst into songThe chair of NatWest was forced to defend the bank against accusations of “climate backtracking” at a chaotic annual shareholder meeting, which was temporarily suspended owing to singing protesters.Not long after the meeting began in Edinburgh, it was adjourned for about half an hour after a protester interrupted Rick Haythornthwaite’s opening speech. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Coca-Cola tops estimates, raises earnings outlook as global beverage demand rises
Shares of Coke have risen just 6% over the last year, hurt by concerns about the broader economy.
theguardian.com
The Tin Can phone: is this the simple secret to a screen-free childhood?
Created by three dads from Seattle, the resolutely un-mobile handset doesn’t have internet access, apps or even a screen. No wonder anxious parents are snapping it upName: Tin Can.Age: Launched last April. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘It feels like a betrayal’: anger as Apple to close its first unionized store in the US
Tech giant accused of ‘cynical attempt to bust the union’ in decision to shutter location in Towson, MarylandWorkers at the first Apple store to unionize in the US are pushing back against the company’s decision to shut it down by June, alleging that Apple’s decision is rooted in “a cynical attempt to bust the union”.On Monday, the union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Apple, alleging unionized employees at the store in Towson, Maryland, are being denied transfer rights and other rights compared with workers at non-unionized stores. The union is also alleging retaliation for being unionized. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Nostalgia wasn't enough: What went wrong at Claire's
Experts says Claire's suffered from a perfect storm of issues which has spelled the end for the accessories chain.
theguardian.com
Russian oligarch’s superyacht allowed through strait of Hormuz, source says
Billionaire Alexei Mordashov’s vessel, Nord, reportedly able to cross blockaded strait with US and Iranian approvalA superyacht owned by the Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov was able to transit the blockaded strait of Hormuz after undergoing maintenance in Dubai because neither Iran nor the US objected, a source close to Mordashov said on Tuesday.It has been unclear how the multi-deck pleasure vessel, worth more than $500m (£370m), gained permission to sail on Saturday through the commercially important waterway at the heart of the US-Iran conflict, where traffic has been severely restricted since February. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump discussed Iran's Hormuz Strait proposal with top aides, White House says
The Trump administration has repeatedly insisted that the central goal of the conflict is keeping Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon.
theguardian.com
Tell us: how are you adjusting your household finances as the Iran war pushes up costs?
We’d like to hear how you’re adapting your expenditure as the cost of living rises amid the conflict in the Middle EastRising prices and economic uncertainty linked to the conflict in the Middle East are putting pressure on household budgets across the UK.The Bank of England has warned that more than a million additional households could face higher mortgage payments in the coming years, as borrowing costs rise and lenders pull or reprice deals. Surveys suggest millions of households are already making changes to cope – cutting back, dipping into savings or taking on debt. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Spotify stock plummets after earnings beat expectations as guidance disappoints
The Swedish audiostreamer's soft guidance overshadowed an earnings beat.
theguardian.com
One year after Spain’s blackout, its shift to renewables and grid evolution power on
Though solar was initially incorrectly blamed for crisis, renewables have helped insulate Spain from gas price rises caused by war in Middle EastOne year ago today, all of Spain, and much of Portugal, suffered through a blackout of unprecedented scale and duration. In mere seconds, a cascading sequence of events burst through the grid and created Europe’s first “system black” event in recent memory.Traffic signals failed, mobile networks stopped working entirely, petrol stations could not pump fuel and supermarkets could not process payments. Madrid’s metro came to a halt and people had to be pulled out of carriages. “People were stunned because this had never happened in Spain,” Carlos Condori, a 19-year-old construction sector worker, told AFP at the time. “There’s no [phone] coverage, I can’t call my family, my parents, nothing: I can’t even go to work.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Europe’s smaller airports ‘under threat’ if fuel shortages cause many cancellations
High fuel prices and passenger delays as result of EU’s EES entry-exit system leading to problems, says trade bodyEurope’s smaller airports may not survive if jet fuel shortages triggered by the Middle East crisis lead to widespread route cancellations, the industry’s trade body has warned.Although airlines insist there are currently no supply problems within the normal four- to six-week horizon, the US-Israel war on Iran and the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz have doubled the price of jet fuel, prompting some carriers to cancel flights. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The personal pettiness of the Elon Musk v OpenAI trial
In theory, Musk and Altman’s court fight could pose key questions about AI safety – in reality, it’s motivated by money and personal grievanceSign up for the TechScape newsletter: our free technology emailHello, and welcome to TechScape. I’m your host, Blake Montgomery, US tech editor at the Guardian, writing to you from beneath a cherry blossom tree in Prospect Park in New York City. Spring has arrived!Facing AI and a tough job market, gen Z turns to entrepreneurship: ‘I have to prove myself’ Continue reading...
bbc.com
BP profits more than double as Iran war sends oil prices higher
The energy giant said it had seen an "exceptional" performance at its oil trading business.
cnbc.com
Novartis CEO warns reality of Trump's drug pricing policy will set in over 'the next 18 months'
Novartis' CEO warned Tuesday that U.S. drug pricing policy under President Donald Trump poses a "very difficult situation."
theguardian.com
Trump’s attempt to crush clean energy progress not going to plan, experts say
US generated more power from renewables including solar and wind than gas last month in a firstDonald Trump has wielded the full might of his administration to crush the progress of clean energy, which he has called a “scam” and “stupid”. But there are signs this assault is not going to plan.In March, the US generated more of its electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind than it did via gas, the first time clean energy has surpassed the planet-heating fossil fuel for a full month nationally, according to data from the Ember thinktank. Continue reading...
bbc.com
What the Renters' Rights Act means for tenants and landlords
The biggest shake up of renting rules in England for 30 years affects millions of people.
theguardian.com
Super fly: can an electric aircraft spark a quiet revolution in New York travel?
Joby Aviation says its futuristic aircraft reaches Manhattan from JFK in 10 minutes at a ‘premium car service’ priceIt’s neither a bird nor a plane, and it is vehemently not a helicopter, but instead this week some New Yorkers witnessed an “electric vertical takeoff and landing” aircraft buzzing around the city, which developers say could revolutionize travel in New York.Joby Aviation’s fully electric aircraft conducted multiple flights from JFK airport in Queens to Manhattan in recent days, which would have turned heads to anyone looking up. It’s a futuristic-looking design, somewhere between helicopter and drone, and is capable of speeds up to 200mph. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘It’s a gamechanger’: Lewis Hamilton’s groundbreaking Mission 44 recruits working in F1
Foundation set up by F1 great is beginning to address the lack of representation of black people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds in motorsportSports people can be more than the sum of their athletic achievements. Lewis Hamilton stands unquestionably as one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula One having delivered records and outstanding performances that will be hard to surpass. Yet it is indicative of his character that the seven-time world champion rates them all as sitting only alongside what might ultimately be his most significant and long-lasting legacy. His Mission 44 foundation is making an indelible impact on the makeup of motorsport.“Talent is everywhere, opportunity isn’t and that’s what we’re here to change. Setting up Mission 44 is one of the things I’m most proud of,” Hamilton says, reflecting on the foundation he created five years ago. “I’ve been working in F1 for 20 years and I know first-hand how important it is to have representation in our sport, and how difficult it is for young people to get an opportunity.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Deloitte and Zoom’s trims to parental-leave benefits may hurt them in long run, experts say
The firms said last week that they will be reducing parental leave and other benefits for employees starting next yearRecent moves by US companies Deloitte and Zoom to reduce how much paid parental leave they offer employees could signal a larger reduction in benefits in corporate America, according to labor market experts.American workers are already seen as having less benefits and labor protections than many of their counterparts across the world, especially in Europe. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Airlines cutting fares to lure hesitant customers, says Wizz Air
Boss József Váradi says European firms want to boost flyers put off by fares inflated by jet fuel costs.
cnbc.com
Starbucks' turnaround enters a new phase: Investors want stronger profits served
CEO Brian Niccol has sales going in the right direction. Now, investors want to see profits follow suit.
bbc.com
'Emergency handbrake' needed on sickness benefits, Blair think tank says
The Tony Blair Institute says people with conditions like anxiety should get employment support instead of cash benefits.
cnbc.com
Citi UK CEO: 'Phenomenal' market resilience is keeping recession risk at bay — for now
Markets have performed in an orderly way, despite the economic turmoil wrought by Middle East war, said Citi UK CEO Tiina Lee.
cnbc.com
BP profits more than double, beating expectations as Iran war boosts oil prices
The results come shortly after BP's board suffered a shareholder revolt at its annual general meeting.
cnbc.com
'Draconian development' in Meta-Manus deal draws the line in China's AI race with the U.S.
Beijing's decision to block Meta's acquisition of Manus is a warning to other startups thinking of relocating data, talent and intellectual property abroad.
cnbc.com
CATL declines nearly 7% as the Chinese battery maker unveils $5 billion share placement
Shares of Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) declined nearly 7% after the EV battery giant unveiled plans for a roughly $5 billion equity placement in Hong Kong.
cnbc.com
Meta, Google, OpenAI among Big Tech firms seeing top staff leaving to launch AI startups
Former employees at AI giants are raising hundreds of millions of dollars from investors months on from launching.
theguardian.com
It’s time MPs levelled with us: Britain is already at war, and we’ll need to do two things to survive it | Gaby Hinsliff
Cyber-attacks, disinformation and blockading of supplies. This is what living in a war zone can look like nowWe are at war. Four words that sound ludicrously melodramatic on a sunny spring day, when all may not be exactly right with the world – but when you can still shut your eyes to a lot of it just by switching off the news and cracking on with life. No bombs are falling, no bullets flying, no sirens sounding. Though the idea that Britain is already under a form of hybrid attack is commonplace in defence circles, politicians still mostly skirt around it; and it was jolting at first to hear the Labour MP (and former RAF wing commander) Calvin Bailey make the case for conflict being our new reality at a conference hosted by the Good Growth Foundation thinktank last week in London. But then he started to unpack his reasoning for why war is no longer what you think it is.If war can be considered an assault on five fronts – against a country’s political leadership, critical infrastructure, essentials such as food or fuel supplies, civilian population and armed forces – then Britain is arguably now being attacked on the first four without a shot being fired. Think of rampant, Russian-generated political disinformation on social media and attempts to bribe British politicians; of Russian submarine surveillance of the British undersea cables carrying most of our internet traffic, or the four “nationally significant” cyber-attacks recorded every week; of the blockading of food and fuel supplies through the strait of Hormuz. Think, too, of Keir Starmer’s warning in the Sunday Times last week of conflict with Iran coming home to British civilians via “the use of proxies in this country”. He didn’t elaborate, but counter-terrorism police say they are investigating whether a spate of arson attacks on synagogues, Jewish-owned businesses and Iranians living in Britain may have been sponsored by Tehran – a thugs-for-hire tactic familiar from the Russian playbook for sowing division and hate.Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnistGuardian Newsroom: Can Labour come back from the brink? On Thursday 30 April, join Gaby Hinsliff, Zoe Williams, Polly Toynbee and Rafael Behr as they discuss how much of a threat Labour faces from the Green party and Reform UK – and whether Keir Starmer can survive as leader. Book tickets here or at guardian.live Continue reading...
bbc.com
Prada launches Indian-made sandals after cultural appropriation backlash
Prada had faced backlash last year after it showcased similar designs at a fashion show without acknowledging their Indian roots.
theguardian.com
Price rises in UK shops slow as retailers apply heavy discounts to lure shoppers
Shop price inflation rose by 1% year-on-year in April, slowing from 1.2% in March, the BRC saysPrice rises in UK shops have slowed as retailers applied “heavy discounting” to their goods in an effort to entice shoppers amid weakening consumer confidence, the industry’s trade group said.Shop price inflation rose by 1% year-on-year in April, a slowdown from 1.2% in March and below the three-month average of 1.1%, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
EE couldn’t change pricey broadband and TV deal after my husband died
It cheerily addressed letters to my late spouse, and threatened penalties if he terminated his contractAfter my husband died suddenly, I discovered he had been paying £171 a month for our EE broadband and TV contract. EE initially offered me a monthly deal at £44.99 on the phone.There followed two letters, one day apart, cheerily addressed to my late husband. The first stated that he would have to pay £1,007 to terminate his contract; the second giving a termination fee of £520. The letters told him he could take the contract with him when he moved house. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Bank of Japan keeps policy rate steady while raising inflation forecast on Iran war worries
The decision to keep rates steady came in a split 6-3 vote, and was in line with Reuters-polled analysts' estimates.
bbc.com
Cost of living payment date brought forward
The government said payments - normally made in autumn - will be given out in July.
bbc.com
'My husband might give up work to care for our kids' - nursery bills in Wales highest in Britain
Parents in Wales say the cost of childcare is one of their biggest worries ahead of the election.
theguardian.com
Rachel Reeves’s fiscal rules buffer should be ‘significantly larger’, say peers
Lord committee says chancellor and recent predecessors have allowed themselves too little room for manoeuvreBusiness live – latest updatesRachel Reeves should aim to run a “significantly larger” buffer against her fiscal rules, according to a report from a House of Lords committee that says the UK’s public debt is on an unsustainable trajectory.The chancellor raised taxes at last year’s budget in order to more than double the “headroom”, or buffer, against her fiscal rules to £22bn – some of which is expected to be eroded by the impact of the Iran war. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Humanoid robots to become baggage handlers in Japan airport experiment
Japan Airlines will introduce the robots for trial run at a Tokyo airport amid country’s surge in inbound tourism and worsening labour shortagesJapan’s famously conscientious but overburdened baggage handlers will soon be joined by extra staff at Tokyo’s Haneda airport – although their new colleagues will need to take regular recharging breaks.Japan Airlines will introduce humanoid robots on a trial basis from the beginning of May, with a view to deploying them permanently as a solution to the country’s chronic labour shortage. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The secretive billionaire bankrolling Nigel Farage – podcast
The crypto tycoon has given millions to Farage’s political parties. But who is Christopher Harborne and what does he want in return?One balmy evening last year at the Kamalaya wellness sanctuary in Thailand, the resort manager welcomed guests to a talk on longevity and anti-ageing medicine. The first speaker was a Thai doctor with impeccable credentials. The second was the resort’s owner, Chakrit Sakunkrit, who is better known as Christopher Harborne. And Harborne doesn’t only own a resort – he could be one of the richest people alive.The Guardian’s investigations correspondent, Tom Burgis, tells Helen Pidd that Harborne is by far and away the biggest donor to Nigel Farage, stumping up two-thirds of Reform UK’s funding. And one of the donations was also the largest single donation by a living donor to a British political party ever. Continue reading...
bbc.com
My tenant owes £15,000 in rent, but I can't get them out of the property
Landlords tell BBC News why they fear new laws could make it harder to remove problematic tenants.
bbc.com
I had £20,000 stolen and had to fight a 13-month fraud reporting rule to get it back
Sarah has now got her money back but there are calls to reform the deadline for reporting scams to banks.
bbc.com
Why Spotify has no button to filter out AI music
Music streamer Deezer allows users to filter out AI music, so why does Spotify not offer the same?
cnbc.com
CNBC's The China Connection newsletter: AI is moving into the physical world — fast
From cars to robots, industries across China are seeing AI expand from cloud-based systems into devices.
bbc.com
Oil prices rise as US-Iran peace talks stall
President Trump said the US had cancelled plans to send a team to Pakistan for negotiations.
bbc.com
Greggs removes cabinets in shoplifting hotspots
Greggs is removing display cabinets in London stores that have been most severely hit by shoplifters.
bbc.com
Claire's closes all 154 stores in UK and Ireland with loss of 1,300 jobs
All of the chain's standalone stores have stopped trading in the UK and Ireland.
bbc.com
Superdry co-founder accused of raping woman
James Holder, 54, is accused of raping the woman after a night out in 2022, but denies the charges.
theguardian.com
What does Britain need from Labour? Not another new PM, but a government with the guts to take radical action | Polly Toynbee
There’s no point searching for a saviour without a genuine change in direction. Real courage is necessary – because Labour still has time to fix what is brokenIf not Keir Starmer, then who? That’s altogether the wrong question. What matters is not who but what comes next. A black cloud of near terminal despair has fallen upon Labour MPs, but seeking a saviour is a useless endeavour until they decide what it is they want to do.The party is facing a cataclysm in next week’s local elections. MPs will watch their councillors, the backbone of their local parties, vanish. Can they avoid panic? In their slough of despond they need to stop and think. Look at it this way: they have three full years ahead with a vast working majority of 165. They have the power to do everything the country most needs. Sunk so low in the polls, they have nothing to lose and nothing to fear (but fear itself). This chance may never come their way again, and they will regret it for ever if they throw it away, vainly chasing lost popularity through overcaution, trying to appease everyone while pleasing no one. By starting again unconstrained they can regain some lost respect.Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnistGuardian Newsroom: Can Labour come back from the brink? On Thursday 30 April, join Gaby Hinsliff, Zoe Williams, Polly Toynbee and Rafael Behr as they discuss how much of a threat Labour faces from the Green party and Reform UK – and whether Keir Starmer can survive as leader. Book tickets here or at guardian.live Continue reading...
bbc.com
Why Elon Musk and Sam Altman are fighting over OpenAI
Musk, who co-founded the company that created ChatGPT with Altman, wants more than $130bn in damages.
bbc.com
China blocks Meta's $2bn acquisition of AI start-up Manus
It comes after months of scrutiny by Chinese regulators over deal struck with Facebook owner.
bbc.com
The Chinese sports brand taking on Nike and Adidas
Now one of the biggest sportswear firms, Anta's rise follows a playbook adopted by many Chinese giants.
bbc.com
Less bread and WFH Fridays – what Pret boss knows about our habits
Customers want great value but that doesn't necessarily mean the cheapest products, says Pano Christou.
theguardian.com
We booked £4,000 in EasyJet flights – but it won’t let us postpone them all after devastating news
The airline refused a refund or credit for our group of 14 after a brain tumour diagnosis for my two-year-old childWe were organising our wedding for this June when the happiest period of our lives became a nightmare.Our two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive grade 4 brain tumour requiring immediate life-saving surgeries. The prognosis is devastating. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Dozens of toys recalled in the UK after asbestos found in play sand
Candle-making kits and rubber toys among products recalled after revelation about play sand sold by HobbycraftMore than 30 children’s toys have been recalled in the UK after the Guardian revealed that play sand sold by Hobbycraft was contaminated with asbestos.Over the past three months, other children’s products ranging from candle-making kits to stretchy rubber toys have been recalled by retailers including Tesco, Primark, Matalan and M&S after being found to contain the substance. Continue reading...
bbc.com
'I don't want the children to see how worried we are': UK family finances hit by Iran war
British families tell BBC Panorama how the Iran war is affecting their monthly budgets.
theguardian.com
Inside China’s robotics revolution – podcast
How close are we to the sci-fi vision of autonomous humanoid robots? I visited 11 companies in five Chinese cities to find outBy Chang Che. Read by Vincent Lai Continue reading...
bbc.com
How climate change threatens the economic backbone of the Pacific
Tuna populations around the Pacific Islands could move away as ocean temperatures increase.
bbc.com
Higher prices could last for eight months after Iran war, minister says
Officials are monitoring stock levels and planning for any potential disruptions to the supply chain.
theguardian.com
The great energy pivot: US oil and Chinese solar are the winners in Trump’s war on Iran
Exposure of world’s reliance on Middle East supplies accelerates global shift towards new energy superpowersIn the open seas, an armada of empty tankers has quietly turned west. A record number of super-sized vessels are now heading to the US, where oil drillers and refineries are preparing to profit from Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East.Almost 30 of these vessels, each able to hold 2m barrels of oil, are contracted to load US crude, destined for a global market facing the biggest supply crisis in history. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
From syringes to stents: Iran war exposes NHS dependency on petrochemicals
NHS chiefs fear rising costs and healthcare shortages due to the shipping standstill in the GulfThe war in Iran has put the NHS on high alert amid fears about looming shortages and rising costs for medicines and medical products such as syringes, intravenous bags and gloves.Much of modern healthcare is dependent on the petrochemicals now held up by the Gulf shipping standstill – whether for active pharmaceutical ingredients or to produce the millions of sterile single-use items, ranging from personal protective equipment (PPE) to catheters and diagnostic-device casings. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Sludge in the system’: myriad problems stymie Labour’s 1.5m new homes pledge
Soaring cost of building materials, lack of affordability and planning bottlenecks are some of the obstacles thwarting housing targetAt South and City College in Birmingham, dozens of young people clad in hi-vis vests and hard hats are building mini-walls and plastering half-formed rooms.Some weave in and out of stacks of bricks with wheelbarrows, while others use spirit levels to check the walls are straight and flat. In a few days time, these walls will be demolished and the plastering scraped away, for a new class to come in and try their hands. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How AI’s threat to entry-level jobs is turning gen Z into ‘Generation Entrepreneur’
As AI erases the bottom rungs of the corporate ladder, some gen Z workers skip the entry level to become their own CEOsWhen Ashley Terrell graduated from the University of Hawaii in 2024, she planned to find a job in marketing, maybe for a tech company. She had a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a college résumé that included a student marketing job for Red Bull. But after months of applying, her only offer was to work in the power tools section at Home Depot. “It was quite a shock,” she told the Guardian. “I searched for jobs every single day in that Home Depot bathroom.”Terrell’s generation is entering the workforce in a particularly unlucky moment. Hiring in the United States has slumped to its lowest rate since 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While workers of all ages are feeling the pressure of an uncertain economy, it’s gen Z who is the most pessimistic about their job prospects: entry-level jobs are the most vulnerable to impacts from artificial intelligence, and some younger workers are seeing their careers stall before they have even started. Terrell felt she was not just competing with other people for jobs. “Especially with marketing, a lot of people think it can be replaced with AI,” she said. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Nigel is mad to accept his money’: who is Christopher Harborne, the mystery billionaire bankrolling Reform?
A crypto tycoon is giving record-breaking amounts to Farage’s party. But little is known about his motivesShortly before Christmas 2022, Chakrit Sakunkrit, owner of the Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary on the Thai island of Koh Samui, invited 200 guests to spend a few days celebrating his 60th birthday. One sultry afternoon, Sakunkrit and a small group gathered around a table near the shore, surrounded by the burgundy foliage of Good Luck plants. To his right, dressed down in a polo shirt, sat Nigel Farage.Since Brexit marked the achievement of his life’s work three years earlier, Farage had fizzled. Even some of his supporters had pronounced him finished. Now, with the Conservatives in disarray after Liz Truss’s disastrous budget that September, Farage was hinting at a still more ambitious project: to make himself prime minister. Continue reading...
bbc.com
China car giant BYD says it can thrive without US
With the price of fuel rising China's BYD says it is positioning itself to benefit from the global shift away from fossil fuels.
bbc.com
US justice department drops probe into Fed chairman Jerome Powell
President Donald Trump had accused Powell of improper cost overruns in renovating the Fed's building.
theguardian.com
‘Look, no hands’: China chases the driverless dream at Beijing car show
As domestic sales slow, manufacturers are investing in AI and seeking growth in technology and in overseas marketsAt the world’s biggest car fair, which opened in Beijing on Friday, there were hundreds of manufacturers, more than 1,000 vehicles, hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts – and hardly anyone behind a wheel.China’s car companies have cornered the domestic electric vehicle market, and are increasingly visible on the global stage. Now they are turning their attention to what they are betting is the future of mobility: autonomous driving. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Tech bros: it’s time to challenge Silicon Valley’s saviour complex | Fiona Katauskas
They’re in a league of their ownSee more of Fiona Katauskas’s cartoons here Continue reading...
bbc.com
Stock markets are too high and set to fall, says Bank of England deputy
It is unusual for a senior figure at the Bank to be so forthright on market movements.
bbc.com
From scientist to silk farmer: India's silk industry renewal
Silk production is an increasingly high-tech business in India.
bbc.com
High street drug dealer sells cannabis to undercover reporter
Across the UK, shopfronts are being exploited by criminal gangs pushing illegal drugs, experts say.
bbc.com
What the Warner Bros deal could mean for streaming, cinemas and news
If Paramount's takeover of Warner Bros goes ahead it could significantly reshape Hollywood.
bbc.com
Watch: BBC goes undercover at mini-mart selling drugs
BBC UK editor Ed Thomas confronts a shopkeeper secretly filmed selling cannabis and cocaine to one of our researchers.
bbc.com
How a pivot to hair accessories led to business success
Jenny Lennick's colourful hair clips are sold across the US and around the world.
bbc.com
Inflation: What do price increases mean for you?
Prices went up by 3.3% in March, but what does that mean for you asks the BBC's Colletta Smith.
bbc.com
The 'dumb machine' promising a clean energy breakthrough
A stellarator is difficult to build, but could it be the best way to make fusion energy work?
bbc.com
Are insider traders making millions from the Iran war?
The BBC has found suspicious trading patterns that correlate with some of the president's most market-moving statements.
bbc.com
Why your recycled clothes could end up in this South American desert
Old garments from around the world are being discarded in the South American country.
bbc.com
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
bbc.com
Could a digital twin make you into a 'superworker'?
Firms say digital twins make staff more productive, but are they a potential legal minefield?
bbc.com
Back to books - Sweden's schools cutting back on digital learning
Swedish classrooms swap laptops for books, pens and paper, raising concerns from the tech sector.
bbc.com
Quantum computing: A tech race Europe could win?
With some promising computing companies in the field, could Europe be a leader in quantum tech?
bbc.com
The Dutch village at risk of being demolished
Moerdijk has been earmarked for removal, to make way for a vast electricity substation.
bbc.com
'Every drop of water counts': Fear for the future of Argentina's glaciers
A controversial law to ease protections for the glaciers has passed, opening the doors for mining.
bbc.com
TV for dogs booms but are they watching?
TV channels for dogs are multiplying but research is mixed on whether dogs are watching.
bbc.com
The construction boss who built a new life after three years in prison
Traci Quinn, who was jailed for a drugs offence, has transformed herself and set up a successful firm.
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
bbc.com
The real impact of roadworks on the country - and why they're set to get worse
There is a fine balance between the benefits of improved infrastructure, versus the cost of disruption. Does the country have it right?
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